European Experience in Chemicals Management: Integrating Science into Policy

The European Union (EU) adopted the first legislation on chemicals management in 1967 with the Dangerous Substances Directive (DSD). Over time the underlying concepts evolved: from hazard identification over risk assessment to safety assessment. In 1981 a premarketing notification scheme was introduced. Approximately 10 years later a risk assessment programstarted for existing substances followingadata collection and prioritization exercise. Integration of science into EU chemicals legislation occurred via several technical committees managed by the European Chemicals Bureau (ECB) and resulted in the TechnicalGuidanceDocumentonRiskAssessment (TGD), which harmonized the risk assessment methodology. The TGD was revised several times to adapt to scientific developments. The revision process, and the risk assessments for new and existing substances, led to scientific research on chemical risk assessment and thus increased in complexity. The new EU chemicals policy REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of CHemicals) builds on previous experiences and aims to further enhance health and safety. REACH places the burden of proof for chemical safety on industry focusing on managing risks. REACH formalizes the precautionary principle. Furthermore, it underlines a continued scientific underpinning in its implementation, also via stakeholder involvement, and a focus on aligning with international fora.

CHRISTENSEN Frans;  EISENREICH Steven;  RASMUSSEN Kirsten;  RIEGO SINTES Juan;  SOKULL-KLUETTGEN Birgit;  VAN DE PLASSCHE Erik; 

2011-01-17

AMER CHEMICAL SOC

JRC58521

0013-936X,   

https://publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu/repository/handle/JRC58521,   

10.1021/es101541b,